Electronic-mail apparatus

ABSTRACT

An electronic-mail reception apparatus has a body and includes a facsimile receiver that negotiates with a sender before receiving image data, to receive image data in facsimile format from the sender via a telephone network. An electronic-mail receiver receives image data in an electronic mail format and character code data in the electronic mail format from a mail sender via a communication network. A converter converts the image data in the electronic mail format into image data in the facsimile format, a font section converts the character code data received by the electronic-mail receiver into image data, and an output section outputs the image data converted by the converter and the image data converted by the font section. The facsimile receiver, the electronic-mail receiver, the converter, the font section and the output section are integrated in the body of the apparatus.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/779,824, filedFeb. 9, 2001, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.09/210,377, filed Dec. 14, 1998 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,229,884) which is adivision of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/608,199, filed Feb. 28, 1996(now U.S. Pat. No. 5,881,233) the contents of which are expresslyincorporated herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an electronic mail system which can handleimage information.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Japanese published unexamined patent application 2-172348 discloses afacsimile apparatus which includes an interface for connection with acomputer network, and a controller for enabling an electronic mail to beoutputted to the computer network via the interface. The facsimileapparatus is also connected to a telephone line to receive and outputimage information from and to the telephone line. In Japaneseapplication 2-172348, the electronic mail outputted to the computernetwork represents a facsimile transmission result report or a facsimilereception result report rather than image information.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,479,411 discloses that voice, facsimile, and electronicmail messaging is integrated in a system which converts e-mail messagesinto voice-and-fax messages. An e-mail message is parsed into voiceable,prose, segments and non-voiceable, non-prose, segments. Prose segmentsare converted into voice message segments via text-to-speech facilities.Each non-prose segment is converted into a fax segment. Voice pointersto fax segments are inserted into the voice message, in placescorresponding to the non-prose segments in the e-mail message. The voicefile and fax file are then stored for subsequent delivery of the messageas an integrated voice-and-fax message. Conversion of integratedvoice-and-fax messages into e-mail messages is likewise envisioned.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved electronic mailsystem.

A first aspect of this invention provides an electronic mail systemconnected to a network which comprises means for converting an image ofa document surface into corresponding document image data; means forcompressing the document image data into compression-resultant imagedata; means for converting the compression-resultant image data intocorresponding image data of a given electronic-mail format; means forreceiving information of an electronic-mail destination address; andmeans for transmitting the image data of the electronic-mail formattoward the electronic-mail destination address via the network.

A second aspect of this invention is based on the first aspect thereof,and provides an electronic mail system further comprising means forreceiving image data in an electronic mail: means for converting thereceived image data into corresponding received image data of a givenfacsimile format; means for expanding the received image data of thefacsimile format into expansion-resultant image data; and means forprinting the expansion-resultant image data.

A third aspect of this invention is based on the first aspect thereof,and provides an electronic mail system further comprising means fortransmitting character code data by an electronic mail.

A fourth aspect of this invention is based on the first aspect thereof,and provides an electronic mail system wherein the destination-addressreceiving means comprises means for recognizing an electronic-maildestination address in a given position of the image data.

A fifth aspect of this invention is based on the first aspect thereof,and provides an electronic mail system further comprising means forreceiving information of an electronic-mail sender address asinformation of an electronic-mail source address, and means for, incases where a transmission failure occurs, informing the electronic-mailsource address of the transmission failure.

A sixth aspect of this invention is based on the first aspect thereof,and provides an electronic mail system further comprising means forreceiving audio data, means for integrating the audio data and the imagedata into integration-resultant data, and means for transmitting theintegration-resultant data as a single electronic mail.

A seventh aspect of this invention is based on the first aspect thereof,and provides an electronic mail system further comprising means forreceiving moving-picture data means for integrating the moving-picturedata and the image data into integration-resultant data, and means fortransmitting the integration-resultant data as a single electronic mail.

An eighth aspect of this invention is based on the third aspect thereof,and provides an electronic mail system further comprising means foranalyzing a character sequence in a given position of received charactercode data, and means for implementing a process in response to a resultof said analyzing.

A ninth aspect of this invention is based on the eighth aspect thereof,and provides an electronic mail system further comprising means for, incases where the analyzed character sequence indicates registration of adestination mail address, registering sender ID information in asubsequent character sequence and a plurality of destination mailaddresses while providing a correspondence relation between the senderID information and the destination mail addresses, and means for incases where sender ID information is received during mail transmissionand the sender ID information is equal to the registered sender IDinformation, indicating the corresponding destination mail addresses andselecting a necessary destination from among the destination mailaddresses.

A tenth aspect of this invention is based on the eighth aspect thereof,and provides an electronic mail system further comprising means for, incases where the analyzed character sequence indicates registration of asource mail address, registering sender ID information in a subsequentcharacter sequence and a source mail address while providing acorrespondence relation between the sender ID information and the sourcemail address, and means for, in cases where sender ID information isreceived during mail transmission and the sender ID information is equalto the registered sender ID information, receiving the correspondingsource mail address as a source.

An eleventh aspect of this invention is based on the ninth aspectthereof, and provides an electronic mail system further comprising meansfor, in cases where sender ID information is received during mailtransmission and the sender ID information is equal to the registeredsender ID information, writing information of a source mail addresscorresponding to the sender ID information into a header of a mail as asource.

A twelfth aspect of this invention is based on the second aspectthereof, and provides an electronic mail system further comprising meansfor providing a connection to a telephone line, and means forselectively transmitting the image data via the connection to thetelephone line according to a facsimile procedure or via the networkaccording to an electronic-mail procedure.

A thirteenth aspect of this invention is based on the twelfth aspectthereof, and provides an electronic mail system further comprising meansfor analyzing a character sequence in a given position of character codedata in a received electronic mail, means for, in cases where theanalyzed character sequence indicates wait for facsimile data reception,recognizing a notice electronic-mail address in a subsequent charactersequence, means for, in cases where image data is received via theconnection to the telephone line according to a facsimile procedureafter the notice electronic-mail address is recognized, transmitting anelectronic mail representative of a reception notice to the noticeelectronic-mail address.

A fourteenth aspect of this invention is based on the twelfth aspectthereof, and provides an electronic mail system further comprising meansfor analyzing a first character sequence in a given position of a headerof image data in a received electronic mail, means for, in cases wherethe analyzed character sequence indicates facsimile transmission,recognizing a second character sequence in a given position of theheader except the first character sequence as a facsimile number, andmeans for transmitting the received image data toward the facsimilenumber via the connection to the telephone line according to a facsimileprocedure.

A fifteenth aspect of this invention is based on the first aspectthereof, and provides an electronic mail system further comprising meansfor identifying a country having a destination in response to thedestination address, means for generating information of standard timein the identified country, and means for transmitting the image data asan electronic mail at a desired moment expressed according to thestandard time in the identified country.

A sixteenth aspect of this invention is based on the second aspectthereof, and provides an electronic mail system further comprising meansfor registering a plurality of electronic-mail addresses, means forstoring and managing image data transmitted by an electronic mail foreach of the electronic-mail addresses, means for setting pass words forthe respective electronic-mail addresses, and means for outputting thestored image data when a related pass word is received.

A seventeenth aspect of this invention is based on the sixteenth aspectthereof, and provides an electronic mail system further comprising meansfor generating information of a cover sheet for each of theelectronic-mail addresses, and means for adding the information of thecover sheet and outputting a resultant of said adding.

An eighteenth aspect of this invention is based on the second aspectthereof, and provides an electronic mail system further comprising meansfor, in cases where a first electronic mail is received, transmitting asecond electronic mail representative of reception of the firstelectronic mail to a sender electronic-mail address related to the firstelectronic mail.

A nineteenth aspect of this invention is based on the second aspectthereof, and provides an electronic mail system further comprising meansfor writing reception ID information for each received electronic mail,means for providing a correspondence relation between a senderelectronic-mail address related to the received electronic mail andreception ID information, and means for, in cases where the reception IDinformation is received, transmitting a conformation electronic mail tothe sender electronic-mail address.

A twentieth aspect of this invention is based on the second aspectthereof, and provides an electronic mail system further comprising meansfor, in cases where transmission of a received electronic mail fails,printing information representative of a transmission failure, and meansfor outputting information of a first page of the image data.

A twenty-first aspect of this invention is based on the first aspectthereof, and provides an electronic mail system further comprising meansfor receiving character code data by an electronic mail.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic mail system according to afirst embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for controlling a CPU inFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an electronic mail system according to asecond embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for controlling a CPU inFIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an electronic mail system according to athird embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for controlling a CPU inFIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an electronic mail system according to afourth embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for controlling a CPU inFIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an electronic mail system according to afifth embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for controlling a CPUin FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an electronic mail system according to asixth embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a first segment of a program for controlling aCPU in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a second segment of the program forcontrolling the CPU in FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of an electronic mail system according to aseventh embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for controlling a CPUin FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of an electronic mail system according to aneighth embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram of a part of an example of an e-mail in a givenformat.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram of an electronic mail system according to aninth embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of a first segment of a program for controlling aCPU in FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a second segment of the program forcontrolling the CPU in FIG. 18.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram of an electronic mail system according to atenth embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of a first segment of a program for controlling aCPU in FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart of a second segment of the program forcontrolling the CPU in FIG. 21.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram of an electronic mail system according to atwelfth embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for controlling a CPUin FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for controlling a CPUin an electronic mail system according to a thirteenth embodiment ofthis invention.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for controlling a CPUin an electronic mail system according to a fourteenth embodiment ofthis invention.

FIG. 28 is a block diagram of an electronic mail system according to afifteenth embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for controlling a CPUin FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for controlling a CPUin an electronic mail system according to a sixteenth embodiment of thisinvention.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for controlling a CPUin an electronic mail system according to an eighteenth embodiment of isinvention.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for controlling a CPUin an electronic mail system according to a nineteenth embodiment of isinvention.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for controlling a CPUin an electronic mail system according to a twentieth embodiment of thisinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

First Embodiment

With reference to FIG. 1, an electronic mail system includes a CPU 1, aROM 2, a RAM 3, a storage unit 4, a format converter 5, a scanner 6, anoperation panel 7, a data compressor 8, and a LAN (local area network)controller 9 which are electrically connected via a bus line.

The CPU 1 operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 2. TheCPU 1 provides a work area in the RAM 3, and accesses and uses the workarea during signal processing. The storage unit 4 includes, for example,a hard disk device which is used in storing data includingcompression-resultant image data of a facsimile format. The formatconverter 5 changes compression-resultant image data of the facsimileformat into corresponding image data of the e-mail (electronic mail)format. The scanner 6 converts an image of, for example, a documentsheet surface into corresponding binary image data (correspondingbi-level image data). The operation panel 7 has a key board, a startbutton, and other buttons. Information of the destination or the addressof an e-mail to be transmitted can be inputted into the electronic mailsystem by operating the key board on the operation panel 7. The scanner6 can be activated by operating the start button on the operation panel7. The data compressor 8 serves to compress binary image data (bi-levelimage data) which is generated by the scanner 6. The LAN controller 9includes a LAN interface.

The LAN controller 9 is connected via a LAN to an e-mail computer 9A.The e-mail computer 9A is connected to an e-mail network such as theInternet.

As previously described, the CPU 1 operates in accordance with a programstored in the ROM 2. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a segment of the program.In the case where the transmission of information on a document sheet isrequired, the sheet is placed in the scanner 6 and information of adesired destination is inputted via the operation panel 7. Further, thestart button on the operation panel 7 is depressed.

With reference to FIG. 2, a first step S1 in the program segment decideswhether or not information of the destination or the address of ane-mail to be transmitted has been inputted via the operation panel 7. Inaddition, the step S1 decides whether or not the start button on theoperation panel 7 has been depressed. In the case where information ofthe destination of an e-mail to be transmitted has been inputted and thestart button on the operation panel 7 has been depressed, the programadvances from the step S1 to a step S2. Otherwise, the program repeatsthe step S1. Thus, the step S1 waits the reception of an e-maildestination and the depression of the start button.

The step S2 activates the scanner 6 so that an image of the surface of adocument sheet in the scanner 6 is converted by the scanner 6 intocorresponding binary image data (corresponding bi-level image data). Astep S3 following the step S2 transfers the binary image data from thescanner 6 to the data compressor 8. Then, the step S3 activates the datacompressor 8 so that the binary image data is compressed by the device 8into compression-resultant image data of a given facsimile format.Further, the step S3 transfers the compression-resultant image data ofthe facsimile format from the data compressor 8 to the storage unit 4before storing the compression-resultant image data of the facsimileformat into the storage unit 4. In the case where the transmission ofinformation on a plurality of document sheets (that is, a plurality ofpages) is required, the document sheets are sequentially scanned by thedevice 6 and the compression-resultant image data of the facsimileformat is stored into the storage unit 4 as a single file having aplurality of pages.

A step S4 following the step S3 transfers the compression-resultantimage data of the facsimile format from the storage unit 4 to the formatconverter 5. The step S4 activates the format converter 5 so that thecompression-resultant image data of the facsimile format is converted bythe device 5 into corresponding image data of the e-mail format. Inaddition, the step S4 transfers the image data of the e-mail format fromthe format converter 5 to the storage unit 4 before storing the imagedata of the e-mail format into the storage unit 4.

A step S5 subsequent to the step S4 transfers the image data of thee-mail format from the storage unit 4 to the LAN controller 9. The stepS5 activates the LAN controller 9 so that the image data of the e-mailformat is further transferred from the LAN controller 9 to the e-mailcomputer 9A. The image data of the e-mail format, that is, an e-mail, istransmitted from the e-mail computer 9A to the destination via thee-mail network 9B. After the step S5, the current execution cycle of theprogram segment ends.

The image data generated by the scanner 6 is of the binary type or thebi-level type. The compression-resultant image data of the facsimileformat which is generated by the data compressor 8 is also of the binarytype or the bi-level type. The format converter 5 successively encodespieces of the compression-resultant facsimile image data intocorresponding 7-bit character code words respectively. The 7-bitcharacter code words compose text-encoded image data. Thus, the formatconverter 5 changes the compression-resultant facsimile image data intothe corresponding text-encoded image data. The format converter 5 adds aheader of a given format to the text-encoded image data, therebycompleting the image data of the e-mail format. The header includesinformation of the destination, information of a source address,information of the data format, and information of the manner ofconversion from the-image data into the character code words. The formatrelated to the header and the manner of conversion from the image datainto the character code words are in conformity with the Internet e-mainstandards referred to as MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions).

Second Embodiment

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of this invention which is similar tothe embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 except for an additional arrangementdescribed hereinafter.

With reference to FIG. 3, an electronic mail system includes a CPU 1, aROM 2, a RAM 3, a storage unit 4, a format converter 5, a scanner 6, anoperation panel 7, a data compressor/expander 8A, a LAN (local areanetwork) controller 9, an inverse format converter 10, and a printer 11which are electrically connected via a bus line. The inverse formatconverter 10 changes image data of the e-mail format into correspondingimage data of a given facsimile format. The data compressor/expander 8Areplaces the data compressor 8 in FIG. 1. The data compressor/expander8A serves to compress binary image data (bi-level image data) generatedby the scanner 6. In addition, the data compressor/expander 8A serves toexpand image data of the facsimile format into expansion-resultantbinary image data (expansion-resultant bi-level image data). The printer11 serves to print out expansion-resultant binary image data.

The CPU 1 operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 2.FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a segment of the program. With reference toFIG. 4, a first step S11 in the program segment decides whether or notdata of the e-mail format has been received by the LAN controller 9. Inthe case where data of the e-mail format has been received, the step S11transfers the received data of the e-mail format to the storage unit 4.The step S11 controls the storage unit 4 so that the received data ofthe e-mail format is stored into the storage unit 4. In the case wheredata of the e-mail format has not yet been received, the program repeatsthe step S11. Thus, the step S11 waits the reception of data of thee-mail format.

A step S12A following the step S11 decides whether or not the receiveddata of the e-mail format agrees with image data of the e-mail format byreferring to related information in the header of the received data ofthe e-mail format. When the received data agrees with image data, theprogram advances from the step S12A to a step S12B. When the receiveddata differs from image data, the program advances from the step S12A toa step S12C. The step S12B transfers the received data of the e-mailformat from the storage unit 4 to the inverse format converter 10. Thestep S12B activates the inverse format converter 10 so that the receiveddata of the e-mail format is converted by the device 10 intocorresponding image data of a given facsimile format. The step 12Ccontrols the LAN controller 9 so that a responsive e-mail representingan error will be transmitted to the source concerning the received dataof the e-mail format. After the step S12C, the current execution cycleof the program segment ends.

A step S13 following the step S12B transfers the image data of thefacsimile format from the inverse format converter 10 to the datacompressor/expander 8A. The step S13 activates the datacompressor/expander 8A so that the image data of the facsimile format isexpanded by the device 8A into expansion-resultant binary image data(expansion-resultant bi-level image data). Further, the step S13transfers the expansion-resultant binary image data from the datacompressor/expander 8A to the storage unit 4 before storing theexpansion-resultant binary image data into the storage unit 4.

A step S14 subsequent to the step S13 transfers the expansion-resultantbinary image data from the storage unit 4 to the printer 11. The stepS14 activates the printer 11 so that the expansion-resultant binaryimage data is visualized or printed out by the device 11. After the stepS14, the current execution cycle of the program segment ends.

As previously described, the inverse format converter 10 changes thereceived data of the e-mail format into the corresponding image data ofthe facsimile format. Specifically, the inverse format converter 10extracts text-encoded image data from the received data of the e-mailformat. Then, the inverse format converter 10 changes the text-encodedimage data into corresponding binary (bi-level) image data of thefacsimile format.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of this invention which is similar tothe embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 except for an additional arrangementdescribed hereinafter.

With reference to FIG. 5, an electronic mail system includes a CPU 1, aROM 2, a RAM 3, a storage unit 4, a format converter 5, a scanner 6, anoperation panel 7, a data compressor/expander 8A, a LAN (local areanetwork) controller 9, an inverse format converter 10, a printer 11, anda font memory 12 which are electrically connected via a bus line. Thefont memory 12 includes, for example, a ROM which stores font dataproviding the relation between character code data and image data.

The CPU 1 operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 2.FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a segment of the program. With reference toFIG. 6, a first step S21 in the program segment decides whether or notdata of the e-mail format has been received by the LAN controller 9.This decision is to wait the reception of data of the e-mail format. Inthe case where data of the e-mail format has been received, the step S21decides whether or not the received data of the e-mail format agreeswith character code data by referring to the data format information inthe header of the received data of the e-mail format. According to theMIME standards, the data format information follows the information“content-type”, and denotes “text/plain” in the case where the relateddata of the e-mail format agrees with character code data. It should benoted that the data format information denotes “image/tiff” in the casewhere the related data of the e-mail format agrees with image data. Whenthe received data of the e-mail format agrees with character code data,the program advances from the step S21 to a step S22B. When the receiveddata of the e-mail format agrees with image data, the received data ofthe e-mail format will be processed as in the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and4.

The step S22B activates the font memory 12 so that the character codedata is converted into corresponding image data according to the fontdata in the font memory 12.

A step S23 following the step S22B transfers the image data to theprinter 11. Also, the step S23 activates the printer 11 so that theimage data is visualized or printed out by the device 11. After the stepS23, the current execution cycle of the program segment ends.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 7 shows a fourth embodiment of this invention which is similar tothe embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6 except for an additional arrangementdescribed hereinafter.

With reference to FIG. 7, an electronic mail system includes a CPU 1, aROM 2, a RAM 3, a storage unit 4, a format converter 5, a scanner 6, anoperation panel 7, a data compressor/expander 8A, a LAN (local areanetwork) controller 9, an inverse format converter 10, a printer 11, afont memory 12, and a character recognition unit 13 which areelectrically connected via a bus line. The character recognition unit 13serves to recognize characters represented by binary image data(bi-level image data).

Information on a document sheet which is to be transmitted containsinformation of the destination or the address of a transmitted e-mail.Specifically, characters in a predetermined zone of the document sheetindicate an e-mail destination. Thus, the characters in thepredetermined zone of the document sheet correspond to the informationof the e-mail destination.

The CPU 1 operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 2.FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a segment of the program. With reference toFIG. 8, a first step S31 in the program segment decides whether or not astart button on the operation panel 7 has been depressed. In the casewhere the start button on the operation panel 7 has been depressed, theprogram advances from the step S31 to a step S32. Otherwise, the programrepeats the step S31. Thus, the step S31 waits the depression of thestart button.

The step S32 activates the scanner 6 so that an image of the surface ofa document sheet in the scanner 6 is converted by the scanner 6 intocorresponding binary image data (corresponding bi-level image data).

A step S33 following the step S32 extracts a portion of the binary imagedata which corresponds to the predetermined zone. The step S33 transfersthe extracted portion of the image data to the character recognitionunit 13. Further, the step S33 activates the character recognition unit13 so that characters represented by the extracted portion of the imagedata are recognized by the device 13. The character recognition unit 13generates information of a destination in accordance with the result ofthe character recognition.

A step S34 subsequent to the step S33 transfers the binary image datafrom the scanner 6 to the data compressor/expander 8A. Then, the stepS34 activates the data compressor/expander 8A so that the binary imagedata is compressed by the device 8A into compression-resultant imagedata of a given facsimile format. Further, the step S34 transfers thecompression-resultant image data of the facsimile format from the datacompressor/expander 8A to the storage unit 4 before storing thecompression-resultant image data of the facsimile format into thestorage unit 4.

A step S35 following the step S34 transfers the compression-resultantimage data of the facsimile format from the storage unit 4 to the formatconverter 5. In addition, the step S35 transfers the information of thedestination to the format converter 5. The step S35 activates the formatconverter 5 so that the compression-resultant image data of thefacsimile format is converted by the device 5 into corresponding imagedata of the e-mail format. The image data of the e-mail format containsthe information of the destination. Further, the step S35 transfers theimage data of the e5 mail format from the format converter 5 to thestorage unit 4 before storing the image data of the e-mail format intothe storage unit 4.

A step S36 subsequent to the step S35 transfers the image data of thee-mail format from the storage unit 4 to the LAN controller 9. The stepS36 activates the LAN controller 9 so that the image data of the e-mailformat is further transferred from the LAN controller 9 to an e-mailcomputer 9A. The image data of the e-mail format, that is, an e-mail, istransmitted from the e-mail computer 9A to the destination via an e-mailnetwork 9B. After the step S36, the current execution cycle of theprogram segment ends.

Fifth Embodiment

FIG. 9 shows a fifth embodiment of this invention which is similar tothe embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 except for an additional arrangementdescribed hereinafter.

With reference to FIG. 9, an electronic mail system includes a CPU 1, aROM 2, a RAM 3, a storage unit 4, a format converter 5, a scanner 6, anoperation panel 7A, a data compressor 8, and a LAN (local area network)controller 9 which are electrically connected via a bus line. Theoperation panel 7A replaces the operation panel 7 in FIG. 1. Theoperation panel 7A has a key board, a start button, a source button, andother buttons. Information of the destination or the address of ane-mail to be transmitted can be inputted into the electronic mail systemby operating the key board on the operation panel 7A. The scanner 6 canbe activated by operating the start button on the operation panel 7A.Information of the address of an e-mail transmission source can beinputted into the electronic mail system by operating the source buttonon the operation panel 7A. The source address agrees with an addressassigned to an e-mail computer 9A connected to the LAN controller 9.Accordingly, in the event that the transmission of an e-mail from theelectronic mail system to the destination has failed, a responsivee-mail representing the transmission failure can be received by thee-mail computer 9A.

The CPU 1 operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 2.FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a segment of the program. With reference toFIG. 10, a first step S41 in the program segment decides whether or notinformation of the destination or the address of an e-mail to betransmitted has been inputted via the operation panel 7A. In the casewhere the information of the destination of an e-mail to be transmittedhas been inputted, the program advances from the step S41 to a step S42.Otherwise, the program repeats the step S41. Thus, the step S41 waitsthe reception of the information of an e-mail destination.

The step S42 decides whether or not the source button on the operationpanel 7A has been depressed to input the information of the address ofthe e-mail transmission source. In the case where the source button onthe operation panel 7A has been depressed, the program advances from thestep S42 to a step S43. Otherwise, the program repeats the step S42.Thus, the step S42 waits the reception of the information of an e-mailsource address.

The step S43 decides whether or not the start button on the operationpanel 7A has been depressed. In the case where the start button on theoperation panel 7A has been depressed, the program advances from thestep S43 to a step S44. Otherwise, the program repeats the step S43.Thus, the step S43 waits the depression of the start button.

The step S44 activates the scanner 6 so that an image of the surface ofa document sheet in the scanner 6 is converted by the scanner 6 intocorresponding binary image data (corresponding bi-level image data). Astep S45 following the step S44 transfers the binary image data from thescanner 6 to the data compressor 8. Then, the step S45 activates thedata compressor 8 so that the binary image data is compressed by thedevice 8 into compression-resultant image data of a given facsimileformat. Further, the step S45 transfers the compression-resultant imagedata of the facsimile format from the data compressor 8 to the storageunit 4 before storing the compression-resultant image data of thefacsimile format into the storage unit 4.

A step S46 following the step S45 transfers the compression-resultantimage data of the facsimile format from the storage unit 4 to the formatconverter 5. In addition, the step S46 transfers the information of thesource address and the information of the destination to the formatconverter 5. The step S46 activates the format converter 5 so that thecompression-resultant image data of the facsimile format is converted bythe device 5 into corresponding image data of the e-mail format. Theimage data of the e-mail format contains the information of the sourceaddress and the information of the destination. Further, the step S46transfers the image data of the e-mail format from the format converter5 to the storage unit 4 before storing the image data of the e-mailformat into the storage unit 4.

A step S47 subsequent to the step S46 transfers the image data of thee-mail format from the storage unit 4 to the LAN controller 9. The stepS47 activates the LAN controller 9 so that the image data of the e-mailformat is further transferred from the LAN controller 9 to the e-mailcomputer 9A. The image data of the e-mail format, that is, an e-mail, istransmitted from the e-mail computer 9A to the destination via an e-mailnetwork 9B. After the step S47, the current execution cycle of theprogram segment ends.

Sixth Embodiment

FIG. 11 shows a sixth embodiment of this invention which is similar tothe embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8 except for an additional arrangementdescribed hereinafter.

With reference to FIG. 11, an electronic mail system includes a CPU 1, aROM 2, a RAM 3, a storage unit 4, a format converter 5, a scanner 6, anoperation panel 7B, a data compressor/expander 8A, a LAN (local areanetwork) controller 9, an inverse format converter 10, a printer 11, afont memory 12, a character recognition unit 13, an audio input/outputdevice 14, and an audio compressor/expander 15 which are electricallyconnected via a bus line. The operation panel 7B replaces the operationpanel 7 in FIG. 7. The operation panel 7B has a start button, a messagebutton, and other buttons. The scanner 6 can be activated by operatingthe start button on the operation panel 7B. The depression of themessage button on the operation panel 7B enables audio messageinformation to be inputted into the electronic mail system. The audioinput/output device 14 includes a microphone and an electric-to-soundtransducer such as a loudspeaker (a sound speaker). The microphone inthe audio input/output device 14 converts a sound message into acorresponding audio signal. The audio signal is changed intocorresponding audio data by an A/D converter in the audio input/outputdevice 14. The audio input/output device 14 also includes a D/Aconverter which changes audio data into a corresponding audio signal.The audio signal is converted into corresponding sound by theloudspeaker (the sound speaker) in the audio input/output device 14. Theaudio compressor/expander 15 serves to compress and expand audio data.

The CPU 1 operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 2.FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a first segment of the program. With referenceto FIG. 12, a first step S51 in the first program segment decideswhether or not the start button on the operation panel 7B has beendepressed. In the case where the start button on the operation panel 7Bhas been depressed, the program advances from the step S51 to a stepS52. Otherwise, the program repeats the step S51. Thus, the step S51waits the depression of the start button.

The step S52 decides whether or not the message button on the operationpanel 7B is depressed and a sound message is converted by the microphoneand the A/D converter in the audio input/output device 14 intocorresponding audio data. This decision is to wait the depression of themessage button and the reception of the audio data. In the case wherethe message button on the operation panel 7B is depressed and the soundmessage is converted by the audio input/output device 14 into thecorresponding audio data, the step S52 transfers the audio data from theaudio input/output device 14 to the audio compressor/expander 15. Thestep S52 activates the audio compressor/expander 15 so that the audiodata is compressed by the device 15 into compression-resultant audiodata. Further, the step S52 transfers the compression-resultant audiodata from the audio compressor/expander 15 to the storage unit 4 beforestoring the compression-resultant audio data into the storage unit 4.

A step S53 subsequent to the step S52 activates the scanner 6 so that animage of the surface of a document sheet in the scanner 6 is convertedby the scanner 6 into corresponding binary image data (correspondingbi-level image data).

A step S54 following the step S53 extracts a portion of the binary imagedata which corresponds to a predetermined zone. The step S54 transfersthe extracted portion of the image data to the character recognitionunit 13. Further, the step S54 activates the character recognition unit13 so that characters represented by the extracted portion of the imagedata are recognized by the device 13. The character recognition unit 13generates information of a destination in accordance with the result ofthe character recognition.

A step S55 subsequent to the step S54 transfers the binary image datafrom the scanner 6 to the data compressor/expander 8A. Then, the stepS55 activates the data compressor/expander 8A so that the binary imagedata is compressed by the device 8A into compression-resultant imagedata of a given facsimile format. Further, the step S55 transfers thecompression-resultant image data of the facsimile format from the datacompressor/expander 8A to the storage unit 4 before storing thecompression-resultant image data of the facsimile format into thestorage unit 4.

A step S56 following the step S55 transfers the compression-resultantimage data of the facsimile format from the storage unit 4 to the formatconverter 5. In addition, the step S56 transfers the information of thedestination to the format converter 5. Further, the step S56 transmitsthe compression-resultant audio data from the storage unit 4 to theformat converter 5. The step S56 activates the format converter 5 sothat the compression-resultant image data of the facsimile format andthe compression-resultant audio data are converted and integrated by thedevice 5 into corresponding image/audio data of the e-mail format. Itshould be noted that the manner of the integration is in conformity withthe MIME standards. The image/audio data of the e-mail format containsthe information of the destination. Further, the step S56 transfers theimage/audio data of the e-mail format from the format converter 5 to thestorage unit 4 before storing the image/audio data of the e-mail formatinto the storage unit 4.

A step S57 subsequent to the step S56 transfers the image/audio data ofthe e-mail format from the storage unit 4 to the LAN controller 9. Thestep S57 activates the LAN controller 9 so that the image/audio data ofthe e-mail format is further transferred from the LAN controller 9 to ane-mail computer 9A. The image/audio data of the e-mail format, that is,an e-mail, is transmitted from the e-mail computer 9A to the destinationvia an e-mail network 9B. After the step S57, the current executioncycle of the first program segment ends.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a second segment of the program. Withreference to FIG. 13, a first step S58A in the second program segmentdecides whether or not data of the e-mail format has been received bythe LAN controller 9. This decision is to wait the reception of data ofthe e-mail format. In the case where data of the e-mail format has beenreceived, the step S58A transfers the received data of the e-mail formatto the storage unit 4. The step S58A controls the storage unit 4 so thatthe received data of the e-mail format is stored into the storage unit4.

A step S58B following the step S58A transfers the received data of thee-mail format from the storage unit 4 to the inverse format converter10. A step S58C subsequent to the step S58B decides whether or not thereceived data of the e-mail format agrees with image/audio data of thee-mail format by referring to related information in the header of thereceived data of the e-mail format. When the received data agrees withimage/audio data, the step S58C activates the inverse format converter10 so that the received data of the e-mail format is converted andseparated by the device 10 into image data of a given facsimile formatand audio data. When the received data differs from image/audio data,the received data will be processed as in the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and4.

A step S58D following the step S58C transfers the image data of thefacsimile format from the inverse format converter 10 to the datacompressor/expander 8A. The step S58D activates the datacompressor/expander 8A so that the image data of the facsimile format isexpanded by the device 8A into expansion-resultant binary image data(expansion-resultant bi-level image data). Further, the step S58Dtransfers the expansion-resultant binary image data from the datacompressor/expander 8A to the storage unit 4 before storing theexpansion-resultant binary image data into the storage unit 4.

A step S58E subsequent to the step S58D transfers theexpansion-resultant binary image data from the storage unit 4 to theprinter 11. The step S58E activates the printer 11 so that theexpansion-resultant binary image data is visualized or printed out bythe device 11.

A step S58F following the step S58E transfers the audio data from theinverse format converter 10 to the audio compressor/expander 15. Thestep S58F activates the audio compressor/expander 15 so that the audiodata is expanded by the device 15 into expansion-resultant audio data.Further, the step S58F transfers the expansion-resultant audio data fromthe audio compressor/expander 15 to the storage unit 4 before storingthe expansion-resultant audio data into the storage unit 4.

A step S58G subsequent to the step S58F transfers theexpansion-resultant audio data from the storage unit 4 to the audioinput/output device 14. The step S58G activates the audio input/outputdevice 14 so that the loudspeaker (the sound speaker) and the D/Aconverter therein generate sound in response to the audio data. Afterthe step S58G, the current execution cycle of the second program segmentends.

Seventh Embodiment

FIG. 14 shows a seventh embodiment of this invention which is similar tothe embodiment of FIGS. 11-13 except for an additional arrangementdescribed hereinafter.

With reference to FIG. 14, an electronic mail system includes a CPU 1, aROM 2, a RAM 3, a storage unit 4, a format converter 5, a scanner 6, anoperation panel 7C, a data compressor/expander 8A, a LAN (local areanetwork) controller 9, an inverse format converter 10, a printer 11, afont memory 12, a character recognition unit 13, an audio input/outputdevice 14, an audio compressor/expander 15, a video input/output device16, and a moving-picture compressor/expander 17 which are electricallyconnected via a bus line. The operation panel 7C replaces the operationpanel 7B in FIG. 11. The operation panel 7C has a start button, a videobutton, and other buttons. The scanner 6 can be activated by operatingthe start button on the operation panel 7C. The depression of the videobutton on the operation panel 7C enables moving-picture information tobe inputted into the electronic mail system. The video input/outputdevice 16 includes a video camera and a display such as a CRT. The videocamera in the video input/output device 16 converts moving pictures intocorresponding data. The display in the video input/output device 16visualizes moving-picture data. The moving-picture compressor/expander17 serves to compress and expand moving-picture data.

The CPU 1 operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 2.FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a segment of the program. With reference toFIG. 15, a first step S61 in the program segment decides whether or notthe start button on the operation panel 7C has been depressed. In thecase where the start button on the operation panel 7C has beendepressed, the program advances from the step S61 to a step S62.Otherwise, the program repeats the step S61. Thus, the step S61 waitsthe depression of the start button.

The step S62 decides whether or not the video button on the operationpanel 7C is depressed and moving pictures are converted by the videocamera in the video input/output device 16 into corresponding data. Thisdecision is to wait the depression of the video button and the receptionof moving-picture data. In the case where the video button on theoperation panel 7C is depressed and the moving pictures are converted bythe video camera in the video input/output device 16 into thecorresponding data, the step S62 transfers the moving-picture data fromthe video input/output device 16 to the moving-picturecompressor/expander 17. The step S62 activates the moving-picturecompressor/expander 17 so that the moving-picture data is compressed bythe device 17 into compression-resultant moving-picture data. Further,the step S62 transfers the compression-resultant moving-picture datafrom the moving-picture compressor/expander 17 to the storage unit 4before storing the compression-resultant moving-picture data into thestorage unit 4.

A step S63 subsequent to the step S62 activates the scanner 6 so that animage of the surface of a document sheet in the scanner 6 is convertedby the scanner 6 into corresponding binary image data (correspondingbi-level image data).

A step S64 following the step S63 extracts a portion of the binary imagedata which corresponds to a predetermined zone. The step S64 transfersthe extracted portion of the image data to the character recognitionunit 13. Further, the step S64 activates the character recognition unit13 so that characters represented by the extracted portion of the imagedata are recognized by the device 13. The character recognition unit 13generates information of a destination in accordance with the result ofthe character recognition.

A step S65 subsequent to the step S64 transfers the binary image datafrom the scanner 6 to the data compressor/expander 8A. Then, the stepS65 activates the data compressor/expander 8A so that the binary imagedata is compressed by the device 8A into compression-resultant imagedata of a given facsimile format. Further, the step S65 transfers thecompression-resultant image data of the facsimile format from the datacompressor/expander 8A to the storage unit 4 before storing thecompression-resultant image data of the facsimile format into thestorage unit 4.

A step S66 following the step S65 transfers the compression-resultantimage data of the facsimile format from the storage unit 4 to the formatconverter 5. In addition, the step S66 transfers the information of thedestination to the format converter 5. Further, the step S66 transmitsthe compression-resultant moving-picture data from the storage unit 4 tothe format converter 5. The step S66 activates the format converter 5 sothat the compression-resultant image data of the facsimile format andthe compression-resultant moving-picture data are converted andintegrated by the device 5 into corresponding image data of the e-mailformat. It should be noted that the manner of the integration is inconformity with the MIME standards. The image data of the e-mail formatcontains the information of the destination. Further, the step S66transfers the image data of the e-mail format from the format converter5 to the storage unit 4 before storing the image data of the e-mailformat into the storage unit 4.

A step S67 subsequent to the step S66 transfers the image data of thee-mail format from the storage unit 4 to the LAN controller 9. The stepS67 activates the LAN controller 9 so that the image data of the e-mailformat is further transferred from the LAN controller 9 to an e-mailcomputer 9A. The image data of the e-mail format, that is, an e-mail, istransmitted from the e-mail computer 9A to the destination via an e-mailnetwork 9B. After the step S67, the current execution cycle of theprogram segment ends.

Eighth Embodiment

FIG. 16 shows an eighth embodiment of this invention which is similar tothe embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8 except for design changes describedhereinafter.

With reference to FIG. 16, an electronic mail system includes a CPU 1, aROM 2, a RAM 3, a storage unit 4, a format converter 5, a scanner 6, anoperation panel 7, a data compressor/expander 8A, a LAN (local areanetwork) controller 9X, an inverse format converter 10, a printer 11, afont memory 12, and a character recognition unit 13 which areelectrically connected via a bus line. The LAN controller 9X replacesthe LAN controller 9 in FIG. 7. The LAN controller 9X analyzes areceived e-mail. The CPU 1 is programmed to execute data processing inresponse to a result of the analysis by the LAN controller 9X.

FIG. 17 shows a part of an example of an e-mail in a given format. Asshown in FIG. 17, the e-mail has a header 31 and a text (a message) 32.The header 31 is followed by the text 32. The header 31 containsinformation representing a type of data in the text 32. In the exampleof FIG. 17, “Content-Type: text/plain” in the header 31 represents thata related portion of the text 32 corresponds to character code data.Further, “Subject: !!$” in the header 31 represents that a relatedportion of the text 32 corresponds to an instruction (a command).

The text 32 contains ID (identification) information of a sender,information of a list of destination mail addresses, and information ofa source address. The ID information of the sender is preceded by aspecified code word “!ID”. The information of the list of thedestination mail addresses is preceded by a specified code word “!LIST”.The information of the source address is preceded by a specified codeword “!FROM”.

After the LAN controller 9 receives an e-mail, the LAN controller 9analyzes ID (identification) information of a sender, information of alist of destination mail addresses, and information of a source addresswhich are contained in the received e-mail. The LAN controller 9recognizes the sender as a result of the analysis of the ID informationthereof. The CPU 1 serves to transfer the ID information of the sender,the information of the list of the destination mail addresses, and theinformation of the source address from the LAN controller 9 to thestorage unit 4. Then, the CPU 1 serves to store the ID information ofthe sender, the information of the list of the destination mailaddresses, and the information of the source address into the storageunit 4.

Ninth Embodiment

FIG. 18 shows a ninth embodiment of this invention which is similar tothe embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8 except for design changes describedhereinafter.

With reference to FIG. 18, an electronic mail system includes a CPU 1, aROM 2, a RAM 3, a storage unit 4, a format converter 5, a scanner 6, anoperation panel 7D, a data compressor/expander 8A, a LAN (local areanetwork) controller 9, an inverse format converter 10, a printer 11, afont memory 12, and a character recognition unit 13 which areelectrically connected via a bus line. The operation panel 7D replacesthe operation panel 7 in FIG. 7. The operation panel 7D has a display, akey board, a start button, a destination list button, and other buttons.Information of a destination list can be visualized by the display onthe operation panel 7D. ID information of a sender can be inputted intothe electronic mail system by operating the key board on the operationpanel 7D. The scanner 6 can be activated by operating the start buttonon the operation panel 7D. The depression of the destination list buttonon the operation panel 7D enables a destination list to be indicated bydisplay on the operation panel 7D.

The CPU 1 operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 2.FIG. 19 is a flowchart of a first segment of the program. With referenceto FIG. 19, a first step S71 in the first program segment decideswhether or not character code data in an e-mail has been received by theLAN controller 9. In the case where the character code data in thee-mail has been received, the program advances from the step S71 to astep S72. Otherwise, the program repeats the step S71. Thus, the stepS71 waits the reception of character code data in an e-mail. The stepS72 analyzes the “Subject” part of the header of the e-mail.

A step S73 following the step S72 decides whether or not the “Subject”part of the header corresponds to a text instruction by referring to theresult of the analysis by the step S72. When the “Subject” part of theheader corresponds to a text instruction, the program advances from thestep S73 to a step S74. Otherwise, the program advances from the stepS73 to a step S76.

The step S74 analyzes the text in the e-mail to extract ID informationof a sender and information of a destination mail list therefrom. A stepS75 following the step S74 stores or registers the ID information of thesender and the information of the destination mail list into the storageunit 4 in a manner such that the ID information of the sender and theinformation of the destination mail list are in a given correspondencerelation. After the step S75, the current execution cycle of the firstprogram segment ends.

The step S76 converts character code data in the text into correspondingimage data. A step S77 following the step S76 transfers the image datato the printer 11. The step S77 activates the printer 11 so that theimage data is visualized or printed out by the device 11. After the stepS77, the current execution cycle of the first program segment ends.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a second segment of the program. Withreference to FIG. 20, a first step S81 of the second program segmentdecides whether or not the destination list button on the operationpanel 7D has been depressed. In the case where the destination listbutton on the operation panel 7D has been depressed, the programadvances from the step S81 to a step S82. Otherwise, the program repeatsthe step S81. Thus, the step S82 waits the depression of the destinationlist button.

The step S82 decides whether or not ID information of a sender has beeninputted via the operation panel 7D. This decision is to wait thereception of sender ID information. In the case where the ID informationof the sender has been inputted, the step S82 reads out information of adestination mail list from the storage unit 4 which corresponds to theID information of the sender. The step S82 transfers the information ofthe destination mail list to the display on the operation panel 7D. Thestep S82 activates the display on the operation panel 7D so that theinformation of the destination mail list is visualized thereby.

A step S83 following the step S82 decides whether or not a destinationhas been selected from the visualized destination mail list by actuatingthe operation panel 7D. In the case where a destination has beenselected, the program advances from the step S83 to a step S84.Otherwise, the program repeats the step S83. Thus, the step S83 waitsthe selection of a destination.

The step S84 decides whether or not the start button on the operationpanel 7D has been depressed. In the case where the start button on theoperation panel 7D has been depressed, the program advances from thestep S84 to a step S85. Otherwise, the program repeats the step S84.Thus, the step S84 waits the depression of the start button.

The step S85 activates the scanner 6 so that an image of the surface ofa document sheet in the scanner 6 is converted by the scanner 6 intocorresponding binary image data (corresponding bi-level image data).

A step S86 subsequent to the step S85 transfers the binary image datafrom the scanner 6 to the data compressor/expander 8A. Then, the stepS86 activates the data compressor/expander 8A so that the binary imagedata is compressed by the device 8A into compression-resultant imagedata of a given facsimile format. Further, the step S86 transfers thecompression-resultant image data of the facsimile format from the datacompressor/expander 8A to the storage unit 4 before storing thecompression-resultant image data of the facsimile format into thestorage unit 4.

A step S87 following the step S86 transfers the compression-resultantimage data of the facsimile format from the storage unit 4 to the formatconverter 5. In addition, the step S87 informs the format converter 5 ofthe selected destination. The step S87 activates the format converter 5so that the compression-resultant image data of the facsimile format isconverted by the device 5 into corresponding image data of the e-mailformat. The image data of the e-mail format contains the information ofthe destination. Further, the step S87 transfers the image data of thee-mail format from the format converter 5 to the storage unit 4 beforestoring the image data of the e-mail format into the storage unit 4.

A step S88 subsequent to the step S87 transfers the image data of thee-mail format from the storage unit 4 to the LAN controller 9. The stepS88 activates the LAN controller 9 so that the image data of the e-mailformat is further transferred from the LAN controller 9 to an e-mailcomputer 9A. The image data of the e-mail format, that is, an e-mail, istransmitted from the e-mail computer 9A to the selected destination viaan e-mail network 9B. After the step S88, the current execution cycle ofthe second program segment ends.

Tenth Embodiment

FIG. 21 shows a tenth embodiment of this invention which is similar tothe embodiment of FIGS. 18-20 except for design changes describedhereinafter.

With reference to FIG. 21, an electronic mail system includes a CPU 1, aROM 2, a RAM 3, a storage unit 4, a format converter 5, a scanner 6, anoperation panel 7E, a data compressor/expander 8A, a LAN (local areanetwork) controller 9, an inverse format converter 10, a printer 11, afont memory 12, and a character recognition unit 13 which areelectrically connected via a bus line. The operation panel 7E replacesthe operation panel 7D in FIG. 18. The operation panel 7E has a display,a key board, a start button, a source button, and other buttons.Information of a source address can be visualized by the display on theoperation panel 7E. Information of the destination or the address of ane-mail to be transmitted can be inputted into the electronic mail systemby operating the key board on the operation panel 7E. ID information ofa sender can be inputted into the electronic mail system by operatingthe source button on the operation panel 7E. The scanner 6 can beactivated by operating the start button on the operation panel 7E.

The CPU 1 operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 2.FIG. 22 is a flowchart of a first segment of the program. With referenceto FIG. 22, a first step S71A in the first program segment decideswhether or not character code data in an e-mail has been received by theLAN controller 9. In the case where the character code data in thee-mail has been received, the program advances from the step S71A to astep S72A. Otherwise, the program repeats the step S71A. Thus, the stepS71A waits the reception of character code data in an e-mail. The stepS72A analyzes the “Subject” part of the header of the e-mail.

A step S73A following the step S72A decides whether or not the “Subject”part of the header corresponds to a text instruction by referring to theresult of the analysis by the step S72A. When the “Subject” part of theheader corresponds to a text instruction, the program advances from thestep S73A to a step S74A. Otherwise, the program advances from the stepS73A to a step S76A.

The step S74A analyzes the text in the e-mail to extract ID informationof a sender and information of a source address therefrom. A step S75Afollowing the step S74A stores or registers the ID information of thesender and the information of the source address into the storage unit 4in a manner such that the ID information of the sender and theinformation of the source address are in a given correspondencerelation. After the step S75A, the current execution cycle of the firstprogram segment ends.

The step S76A converts character code data in the text intocorresponding image data. A step S77A following the step S76A transfersthe image data to the printer 11. The step S77A activates the printer 11so that the image data is visualized or printed out by the device 11.After the step S77A, the current execution cycle of the first programsegment ends.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart of a second segment of the program. Withreference to FIG. 23, a first step S82A of the second program segmentdecides whether or not ID information of a sender has been inputted bydepressing the source button on the operation panel 7E. This decision isto wait the reception of sender ID information. In the case where the IDinformation of the sender has been inputted, the step S82A reads outinformation of a source address from the storage unit 4 whichcorresponds to the ID information of the sender. The step S82A transfersthe information of the source address to the display on the operationpanel 7E. The step S82A activates the display on the operation panel 7Eso that the information of the source address is visualized thereby.Thus, it is possible to confirm the source address.

A step S83A following the step S82A decides whether or not informationof the destination or the address of an e-mail to be transmitted hasbeen inputted via the operation panel 7E. In the case where theinformation of the destination of an e-mail to be transmitted has beeninputted, the program advances from the step S83A to a step S84A.Otherwise, the program repeats the step S83A. Thus, the step S83A waitsthe reception of the information of the destination.

The step S84A decides whether or not the start button on the operationpanel 7E has been depressed. In the case where the start button on theoperation panel 7E has been depressed, the program advances from thestep S84A to a step S85A. Otherwise, the program repeats the step S84A.Thus, the step S84A waits the depression of the start button.

The step S85A activates the scanner 6 so that an image of the surface ofa document sheet in the scanner 6 is converted by the scanner 6 intocorresponding binary image data (corresponding bi-level image data).

A step S86A subsequent to the step S85A transfers the binary image datafrom the scanner 6 to the data compressor/expander 8A. Then, the stepS86A activates the data compressor/expander 8A so that the binary imagedata is compressed by the device 8A into compression-resultant imagedata of a given facsimile format. Further, the step S86A transfers thecompression-resultant image data of the facsimile format from the datacompressor/expander 8A to the storage unit 4 before storing thecompression-resultant image data of the facsimile format into thestorage unit 4.

A step S87A following the step S86A transfers the compression-resultantimage data of the facsimile format from the storage unit 4 to the formatconverter 5. In addition, the step S87A transfers the information of thesource address and the information of the destination to the formatconverter 5. The step S87A activates the format converter 5 so that thecompression-resultant image data of the facsimile format is converted bythe device 5 into corresponding image data of the e-mail format. Theimage data of the e-mail format contains the information of the sourceaddress and the information of the destination. Further, the step S87Atransfers the image data of the e-mail format from the format converter5 to the storage unit 4 before storing the image data of the e-mailformat into the storage unit 4.

A step S88A subsequent to the step S87A transfers the image data of thee-mail format from the storage unit 4 to the LAN controller 9. The stepS88A activates the LAN controller 9 so that the image data of the e-mailformat is further transferred from the LAN controller 9 to an e-mailcomputer 9A. The image data of the e-mail format, that is, an e-mail, istransmitted from the e-mail computer 9A to the destination via an e-mailnetwork 9B. After the step S88A, the current execution cycle of thesecond program segment ends.

Eleventh Embodiment

An eleventh embodiment of this invention is similar to the embodiment ofFIGS. 18-20 except for design changes described hereinafter.

In the eleventh embodiment, when ID information of a sender is inputted,a source address corresponding to the ID information of the sender isrecognized. Information of the source address is automatically writteninto the header of an e-mail carrying image data.

Twelfth Embodiment

FIG. 24 shows a twelfth embodiment of this invention which is similar tothe embodiment of FIGS. 14 and 15 except for design changes describedhereinafter.

With reference to FIG. 24, an electronic mail system includes a CPU 1, aROM 2, a RAM 3, a storage unit 4, a format converter 5, a scanner 6, anoperation panel 7F, a data compressor/expander 8A, a LAN (local areanetwork) controller 9, an inverse format converter 10, a printer 11, afont memory 12, a character recognition unit 13, an audio input/outputdevice 14, an audio compressor/expander 15, a video input/output device16, a moving-picture compressor/expander 17, and a modem 18 which areelectrically connected via a bus line. The operation panel 7F replacesthe operation panel 7C in FIG. 14. The operation panel 7F has a keyboard, a start button, a mode selection button, and other buttons.Information of the destination or the address of an e-mail to betransmitted can be inputted into the electronic mail system by operatingthe key board on the operation panel 7F. In addition, information of adestination telephone number can be inputted into the electronic mailsystem by operating the key board on the operation panel 7F. The scanner6 can be activated by operating the start button on the operation panel7F. Operation of the electronic mail system can be changed between ane-mail mode and a facsimile mode by operating the mode selection buttonon the operation panel 7F. The modem 18 is connected to a telephoneline. The modem 18 serves to transmit and receive a facsimile signal toand from the telephone line.

The CPU 1 operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 2.FIG. 25 is a flowchart of a segment of the program. With reference toFIG. 25, a first step S91 in the program segment decides whether or notthe mode selection button on the operation panel 7F has been operated.In the case where the mode selection button on the operation panel 7Fhas been operated, the program advances from the step S91 to a step S92.Otherwise, the program repeats the step S91. Thus, the step S91 waitsoperation of the mode selection button.

The step S92 decides which of the e-mail mode and the facsimile mode hasbeen selected by referring to a signal coming from the mode selectionbutton on the operation panel 7F. When the facsimile mode has beenselected, the program advances from the step S92 to a step S93. When thee-mail mode has been selected, the program advances from the step S92 toa step S96.

The step S93 decides whether or not information of a destinationtelephone number has been inputted via the operation panel 7F. Also, thestep S93 decides whether or not the start button on the operation panel7F has been depressed. In the case where the information of thedestination telephone number has been inputted and the start button onthe operation panel 7F has been depressed, the program advances from thestep S93 to a step S94. Otherwise, the program repeats the step S93.Thus, the step S93 waits the reception of information of a destinationtelephone number and the depression of the start button.

The step S94 activates the scanner 6 so that an image of the surface ofa document sheet in the scanner 6 is converted by the scanner 6 intocorresponding binary image data (corresponding bi-level image data). Astep S95A following the step S94 transfers the binary image data fromthe scanner 6 to the data compressor/expander 8A. Then, the step S95Aactivates the data compressor/expander 8A so that the binary image datais compressed by the device 8 into compression-resultant image data of agiven facsimile format.

A step S95B subsequent to the step S95A transfers thecompression-resultant image data of the facsimile format from the datacompressor/expander 8A to the modem 18. The step S95B activates themodem 18 so that the compression-resultant image data of the facsimileformat (that is, the facsimile signal) is outputted from the modem 18 tothe telephone line. Normally, the facsimile signal is transmitted viathe telephone line to the communication opposite party identified by thedestination telephone number. After the step S95B, the current executioncycle of the program segment ends.

The step S96 decides whether or not information of the destination orthe address of an e-mail to be transmitted has been inputted via theoperation panel 7F. In addition, the step S96 decides whether or not thestart button on the operation panel 7F has been depressed. In the casewhere information of the destination of an e-mail to be transmitted hasbeen inputted and the start button on the operation panel 7F has beendepressed, the program advances from the step S96 to a step S97.Otherwise, the program repeats the step S96. Thus, the step S96 waitsthe reception of information of an e-mail destination and the depressionof the start button.

The step S97 activates the scanner 6 so that an image of the surface ofa document sheet in the scanner 6 is converted by the scanner 6 intocorresponding binary image data (corresponding bi-level image data). Astep S98A following the step S97 transfers the binary image data fromthe scanner 6 to the data compressor/expander 8A. Then, the step S98Aactivates the data compressor/expander 8A so that the binary image datais compressed by the device 8 into compression-resultant image data of agiven facsimile format. Further, the step S98A transfers thecompression-resultant image data of the facsimile format from the datacompressor/expander 8A to the storage unit 4 before storing thecompression-resultant image data of the facsimile format into thestorage unit 4. In the case where the transmission of information on aplurality of document sheets (that is, a plurality of pages) isrequired, the document sheets are sequentially scanned by the device 6and the compression-resultant image data of the facsimile format isstored into the storage unit 4 as a single file having a plurality ofpages.

A step S98B following the step S98A transfers the compression-resultantimage data of the facsimile format from the storage unit 4 to the formatconverter 5. The step S98B activates the format converter 5 so that thecompression-resultant image data of the facsimile format is converted bythe device 5 into corresponding image data of the e-mail format. Inaddition, the step S98B transfers the image data of the e-mail formatfrom the format converter 5 to the storage unit 4 before storing theimage data of the e-mail format into the storage unit 4.

A step S99 subsequent to the step S98B transfers the image data of thee-mail format from the storage unit 4 to the LAN controller 9. The stepS99 activates the LAN controller 9 so that the image data of the e-mailformat is further transferred from the LAN controller 9 to an e-mailcomputer 9A. The image data of the e-mail format, that is, an e-mail, istransmitted from the e-mail computer 9A to the destination via an e-mailnetwork 9B. After the step S99, the current execution cycle of theprogram segment ends.

Thirteenth Embodiment

A thirteenth embodiment of this invention is similar to the embodimentof FIGS. 24 and 25 except for design changes described hereinafter.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for controlling a CPU 1(see FIG. 24) in the thirteenth embodiment. With reference to FIG. 26, afirst step S101 in the program segment decides whether or not data ofthe e-mail format has been received by a LAN controller 9 (see FIG. 24).This decision is to wait the reception of data of the e-mail format. Inthe case where data of the e-mail format has been received, the stepS101 transfers the received data of the e-mail format to a storage unit4 (see FIG. 24). The step S101 controls the storage unit 4 so that thereceived data of the e-mail format is stored into the storage unit 4.

A step S102 following the step S101 decides whether or not the receiveddata of the e-mail format agrees with image data of the e-mail format byreferring to related information in the header of the received data ofthe e-mail format. When the received data 25 agrees with image data, theprogram advances from the step S102 to a step S103. When the receiveddata differs from image data, the program advances from the step S102 toa step S104. The step S103 transfers the received data of the e-mailformat from the storage unit 4 to an inverse format converter 10 (seeFIG. 24). The step S103 activates the inverse format converter 10 sothat the received data of the e-mail format is converted by the device10 into corresponding image data of a given facsimile format. The step104 controls a LAN controller 9 (see FIG. 24) so that a responsivee-mail representing an error will be transmitted to the sourceconcerning the received data of the e-mail format. After the step S104,the current execution cycle of the program segment ends.

A step S105 following the step S103 transfers the image data of thefacsimile format from the inverse format converter 10 to a datacompressor/expander 8A (see FIG. 24). The step S105 activates the datacompressor/expander 8A so that the image data of the facsimile format isexpanded by the device 8A into expansion-resultant binary image data(expansion-resultant bi-level image data). Further, the step S105transfers the expansion-resultant binary image data from the datacompressor/expander 8A to the storage unit 4 before storing theexpansion-resultant binary image data into the storage unit 4.

A step S106 subsequent to the step S105 transfers theexpansion-resultant binary image data from the storage unit 4 to aprinter 11 (see FIG. 24). The step S106 activates the printer 11 so thatthe expansion-resultant binary image data is visualized or printed outby the device 11.

A step S107 following the step S106 decides whether or not a receptionwaiting flag has been set. When the reception waiting flag has been set,the program advances from the step S107 to a step S108. Otherwise, theprogram exits from the step S107, and the current execution cycle of theprogram segment ends.

The step 108 controls the LAN controller 9 so that an e-mailrepresenting a reception notice will be transmitted to apreviously-registered terminal (a previously-registered terminalstation). After the step S108, the current execution cycle of theprogram segment ends.

Setting the reception waiting flag is implemented by previouslytransmitting an e-mail in which a text has “!RCV SET” according to theformat of FIG. 17. Resetting the reception waiting flag is implementedby transmitting an email in which a text has “!RCV RESET” according tothe format of FIG. 17.

Fourteenth Embodiment

A fourteenth embodiment of this invention is similar to the embodimentof FIGS. 24 and 25 except for design changes described hereinafter.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for controlling a CPU 1(see FIG. 24) in the fourteenth embodiment. With reference to FIG. 27, afirst step S110 in the program segment decides whether or not image dataof the e-mail format (an e-mail) has been received by a LAN controller 9(see FIG. 24). This decision is to wait the reception of image data ofthe e-mail format. In the case where image data of the e-mail format hasbeen received, the step S110 transfers the received image data of thee-mail format to a storage unit 4 (see FIG. 24). The step S10 controlsthe storage unit 4 so that the received image data of the e-mail formatis stored into the storage unit 4.

A step S111 following the step S110 transfers the received image data ofthe e-mail format from the storage unit 4 to an inverse format converter10 (see FIG. 24). The step S111 activates the inverse format converter10 so that the received image data of the e-mail format is converted bythe device 10 into corresponding image data of a given facsimile format.Then, the step S111 transfers the image data of the facsimile formatfrom the inverse format converter 10 to the storage unit 4 beforestoring the image data of the facsimile format into the storage unit 4.

A step S112 subsequent to the step S111 analyzes the “Subject” part ofthe header of the received e-mail. In the case where the analyzed“Subject” part of the header includes a requirement for facsimiletransmission, the step S112 extracts information of a destinationtelephone number from a portion of the received e-mail which immediatelyfollows the “Subject” part.

A step S113 following the step S112 decides whether or not a requirementfor facsimile transmission is present. When a requirement for facsimiletransmission is present, the program advances from the step S113 to astep S114. Otherwise, the program advances from the step S113 to a stepS115A.

The step S114 transfers the image data of the facsimile format from thestorage unit 4 to a modem 18 (see FIG. 24). The step S114 activates themodem 18 so that the image data of the facsimile format (that is, thefacsimile signal) is outputted from the modem 18 to a telephone line.Normally, the facsimile signal is transmitted via the telephone line tothe communication opposite party identified by the destination telephonenumber. After the step S114, the current execution cycle of the programsegment ends.

A step S115A transfers the image data of the facsimile format from thestorage unit 4 to a data compressor/expander 8A (see FIG. 24). The stepS115A activates the data compressor/expander 8A so that the image dataof the facsimile format is expanded by the device 8A intoexpansion-resultant binary image data (expansion-resultant bi-levelimage data). Further, the step S115A transfers the expansion-resultantbinary image data from the data compressor/expander 8A to the storageunit 4 before storing the expansion-resultant binary image data into thestorage unit 4.

A step S115B subsequent to the step S115A transfers theexpansion-resultant binary image data from the storage unit 4 to aprinter 11 (see FIG. 24). The step S115B activates the printer 11 sothat the expansion-resultant binary image data is visualized or printedout by the device 11. After the step S115B, the current execution cycleof the program segment ends.

Fifteenth Embodiment

FIG. 28 shows a fifteenth embodiment of this invention which is similarto the embodiment of FIGS. 24 and 25 except for an additionalarrangement described hereinafter.

With reference to FIG. 28, an electronic mail system includes a CPU 1, aROM 2, a RAM 3, a storage unit 4, a format converter 5, a scanner 6, anoperation panel 7F, a data compressor/expander 8A, a LAN (local areanetwork) controller 9, an inverse format converter 10, a printer 11, afont memory 12, a character recognition unit 13, an audio input/outputdevice 14, an audio compressor/expander 15, a video input/output device16, a moving-picture compressor/expander 17, a modem 18, and a worldclock 19 which are electrically connected via a bus line. The worldclock 19 generates information of standard time in every country in theworld.

The CPU 1 operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 2.FIG. 29 is a flowchart of a segment of the program. With reference toFIG. 29, a first step S121 in the program segment decides whether or notinformation of the destination or the address of an e-mail to betransmitted has been inputted via the operation panel 7F. In the casewhere the information of the destination of an email to be transmittedhas been inputted, the program advances from the step S121 to a stepS122. Otherwise, the program repeats the step S121. Thus, the step S121waits the reception of destination information.

The step S122 sets desired time for e-mail transmission which isexpressed according to standard time in a country having an e-maildestination. A step S123 following the step S122 decides whether or notthe start button on the operation panel 7F has been depressed. In thecase where the start button on the operation panel 7F has beendepressed, the program advances from the step S123 to a step S124.Otherwise, the program repeats the step S123. Thus, the step S123 waitsthe depression of the start button.

The step S124 activates the scanner 6 so that an image of the surface ofa document sheet in the scanner 6 is converted by the scanner 6 intocorresponding binary image data (corresponding bi-level image data). Astep S125A following the step S124 transfers the binary image data fromthe scanner 6 to the data compressor/expander 8A. Then, the step S125Aactivates the data compressor/expander 8A so that the binary image datais compressed by the device 8A into compression-resultant image data ofa given facsimile format. Further, the step S125A transfers thecompression-resultant image data of the facsimile format from the datacompressor/expander 8A to the storage unit 4 before storing thecompression-resultant image data of the facsimile format into thestorage unit 4.

A step S125B following the step S125A transfers thecompression-resultant image data of the facsimile format from thestorage unit 4 to the format converter 5. In addition, the step S125Btransfers the information of the e-mail destination to the formatconverter 5. The step S125B activates the format converter 5 so that thecompression-resultant image data of the facsimile format is converted bythe device 5 into corresponding image data of the e-mail format.Further, the step S125B transfers the image data of the e-mail formatfrom the format converter 5 to the storage unit 4 before storing theimage data of the e-mail format into the storage unit 4.

A step S126 following the step S125B detects a destination's countryfrom the information of the e-mail destination. It is well-known that anend part of information of an e-mail destination indicates thedestination's country. A step S127 subsequent to the step S126 detectspresent time in the destination's country by referring to theinformation generated by the world clock 19. The step S127 decideswhether or not the present time in the destination's country reaches thedesired time for e-mail transmission. This decision is to wait a momentat which the present time in the destination's country reaches thedesired time for e-mail transmission. In the case where the present timein the destination's country reaches the desired time for e-mailtransmission, the step S127 transfers the image data of the e-mailformat from the storage unit 4 to the LAN controller 9. The step S127activates the LAN controller 9 so that the image data of the e-mailformat is further transferred from the LAN controller 9 to an e-mailcomputer 9A. The image data of the e-mail format, that is, an e-mail, istransmitted from the e-mail computer 9A to the destination via an e-mailnetwork 9B. After the step S127, the current execution cycle of theprogram segment ends.

Sixteenth Embodiment

A sixteenth embodiment of this invention is similar to the embodiment ofFIGS. 24 and 25 except for design changes described hereinafter.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for controlling a CPU 1(see FIG. 24) in the sixteenth embodiment. With reference to FIG. 30, afirst step S131 in the program segment decides whether or not image dataof the e-mail format (an e-mail) has been received by a LAN controller 9(see FIG. 24). This decision is to wait the reception of image data ofthe e-mail format. In the case where image data of the e-mail format hasbeen received, the step S131 transfers the received image data of thee-mail format to a storage unit 4 (see FIG. 24). The step S131 controlsthe storage unit 4 so that the received image data of the e-mail formatis stored into the storage unit 4.

A step S132 following the step S131 transfers the received image data ofthe e-mail format from the storage unit 4 to an inverse format converter10 (see FIG. 24). The step S132 activates the inverse format converter10 so that the received image data of the e-mail format is converted bythe device 10 into corresponding image data of the facsimile format.

A step S133 subsequent to the step S132 transfers the image data of thefacsimile format from the inverse format converter 10 to the storageunit 4, and then storing the image data of the facsimile format into abox which is provided in the storage unit 4 for the related destination.It should be noted that boxes provided in the storage unit 4 have acorrespondence relation with previously-registered owner's IDinformation and previously-registered pass words.

A step S134 following the step S133 decides whether or not owner's IDinformation and a pass word are inputted. This decision is to wait thereception of owner's ID information and a pass word. In the case whereowner's ID information and a pass word are inputted, the step S134decides whether or not the inputted owner's ID information and theinputted pass word are acceptable. In the case where the inputtedowner's ID information and the inputted pass word are acceptable, theprogram advances from the step S134 to a step S135A. Otherwise, thecurrent execution cycle of the program segment ends.

The step S135A reads out the image data of the facsimile format from thebox in the storage unit 4 which corresponds to the inputted owner's IDinformation and the inputted pass word. The step S135A transfers theimage data of the facsimile format to a data compressor/expander 8A (seeFIG. 24). The step S135A activates the data compressor/expander 8A sothat the image data of the facsimile format is expanded by the device 8Ainto expansion-resultant binary image data (expansion-resultant bi-levelimage data).

A step S135B subsequent to the step S135A transfers theexpansion-resultant binary image data from the data compressor/expander8A to a printer 11 (see FIG. 24). The step S135B activates the printer11 so that the expansion-resultant binary image data is visualized orprinted out by the device 11. After the step S135B, the currentexecution cycle of the program segment ends.

Seventeenth Embodiment

A seventeenth embodiment of this invention is similar to the embodimentof FIG. 30 except for design changes described hereinafter. In theseventeenth embodiment, the step S134 is omitted from the programsegment of FIG. 30, and the step S133 is immediately followed by thestep S135A.

Information of owner's cover sheet is previously registered in a relatedbox of a storage unit 4 (see FIG. 24). The registration is implementedby using a scanner 6 (see FIG. 24) or transmitting an e-mail having acover-sheet registering instruction.

In the seventeenth embodiment, the step S135B is modified so thatinformation of a cover sheet is read out from the storage unit 4, andthe information of the cover sheet is added to expansion-resultantbinary image data. Accordingly, a combination of the cover-sheetinformation and the expansion-resultant binary image data is visualizedor printed out by a printer 11 (see FIG. 24).

Eighteenth Embodiment

An eighteenth embodiment of this invention is similar to the embodimentof FIGS. 24 and 25 except for design changes described hereinafter.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for controlling a CPU 1(see FIG. 24) in the eighteenth embodiment. With reference to FIG. 31, afirst step S141 in the program segment decides whether or not image dataof the e-mail format (an e-mail) has been received by a LAN controller 9(see FIG. 24). This decision is to wait the reception of image data ofthe e-mail format. In the case where image data of the e-mail format hasbeen received, the step S141 transfers the received image data of thee-mail format to a storage unit 4 (see FIG. 24). The step S141 controlsthe storage unit 4 so that the received image data of the e-mail formatis stored into the storage unit 4.

A step S142 following the step S141 transfers the received image data ofthe e-mail format from the storage unit 4 to an inverse format converter10 (see FIG. 24). The step S142 activates the inverse format converter10 so that the received image data of the e-mail format is converted bythe device 10 into corresponding image data of a given facsimile format.The step S142 transfers the image data of the facsimile format to thestorage unit 4 before storing the image data of the facsimile formatinto the storage unit 4.

A step S143A following the step S142 transfers the image data of thefacsimile format from the storage unit 4 to a data compressor/expander8A (see FIG. 24). The step S143A activates the data compressor/expander8A so that the image data of the facsimile format is expanded by thedevice 8A into expansion-resultant binary image data(expansion-resultant bi-level image data).

A step S143B subsequent to the step S143A transfers theexpansion-resultant binary image data from the data compressor/expander8A to a printer 11 (see FIG. 24). The step S143B activates the printer11 so that the expansion-resultant binary image data is visualized orprinted out by the device 11.

A step S144 detects information of the address of a sender related tothe received e-mail. The step 144 controls a LAN controller 9 (see FIG.24) so that a responsive e-mail confirming e-mail reception will betransmitted to the sender address. After the step S144, the currentexecution cycle of the program segment ends.

Nineteenth Embodiment

A nineteenth embodiment of this invention is similar to the embodimentof FIGS. 24 and 25 except for design changes described hereinafter.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for controlling a CPU 1(see FIG. 24) in the nineteenth embodiment. With reference to FIG. 32, afirst step S151 in the program segment decides whether or not image dataof the e-mail format (an e-mail) has been received by a LAN controller 9(see FIG. 24). This decision is to wait the reception of image data ofthe e-mail format. In the case where image data of the e-mail format hasbeen received, the step S151 transfers the received image data of thee-mail format to a storage unit 4 (see FIG. 24). The step S151 controlsthe storage unit 4 so that the received image data of the e-mail formatis stored into the storage unit 4.

A step S152 following the step S151 transfers the received image data ofthe e-mail format from the storage unit 4 to an inverse format converter10 (see FIG. 24). The step S152 activates the inverse format converter10 so that the received image data of the e-mail format is converted bythe device 10 into corresponding image data of a given facsimile format.

A step S153A following the step S152 adds reception ID information tothe image data of the facsimile format. The reception ID information isgenerated on the basis of date and time unique for one year. The stepS153A transfers the ID-added image data of the facsimile format to thestorage unit 4 before storing the ID-added image data of the facsimileformat into the storage unit 4.

A step S153B subsequent to the step S153A transfers the ID-added imagedata of the facsimile format from the storage unit 4 to a datacompressor/expander 8A (see FIG. 24). The step S153B activates the datacompressor/expander 8A so that the ID-added image data of the facsimileformat is expanded by the device 8A into expansion-resultant binaryimage data (expansion-resultant bi-level image data).

A step S153C subsequent to the step S153B transfers theexpansion-resultant binary image data from the data compressor/expander8A to a printer 11 (see FIG. 24). The step S153C activates the printer11 so that the expansion-resultant binary image data is visualized orprinted out by the device 11.

A step S154 following the step S153C decides whether or not informationequal to the reception ID information added to the image data has beeninputted via an operation panel 7F (see FIG. 24). In the case where suchreception ID information has been inputted, the program advances fromthe step S154 to a step S155. Otherwise, the program repeats the stepS154. Thus, the step S154 waits the reception of the ID information.

The step S155 analyzes the header of the received e-mail, and therebydetects a sender address corresponding to the reception ID information.The step S155 controls a LAN controller 9 (see FIG. 24) so that aresponsive confirmation e-mail will be transmitted to the senderaddress. After the step S155, the current execution cycle of the programsegment ends.

Twentieth Embodiment

A twentieth embodiment of this invention is similar to the embodiment ofFIGS. 24 and 25 except for design changes described hereinafter.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for controlling a CPU 1(see FIG. 24) in the twentieth embodiment. With reference to FIG. 33, afirst step S161 in the program segment decides whether or not charactercode data in an email has been received by a LAN controller 9 (see FIG.24). This decision is to wait the reception of character code data in ane-mail. In the case where the character code data in the e-mail has beenreceived, the program advances from the step S161 to a step S162. Thestep S162 analyzes the “From” part of the header of the e-mail to detecta sender address.

A step S163 following the step S162 decides whether or not the senderaddress agrees with a given address assigned to the present e-mailsystem. When the sender address agrees with the given address, theprogram advances from the step S163 to a step S164. Otherwise, theprogram advances from the step S163 to a step S165.

The step S164 transfers a signal indicative of a transmission failure toa printer 11 (see FIG. 24). The step S164 activates the printer 11 sothat the transmission failure signal is visualized or printed out by thedevice 11. After the step S164, the current execution cycle of theprogram segment ends.

The step S165 converts character code data in the text intocorresponding image data. A step S166 following the step S165 transfersthe image data to the printer 11. The step S166 activates the printer 11so that the image data is visualized or printed out by the device 11.After the step S166, the current execution cycle of the program segmentends.

Other Embodiments

Any one of the second embodiment to the twentieth embodiment may bemodified to indicate character code data in the received e-mail on adisplay such as a CRT. The CRT may also be used to indicate movingpictures.

At least two of the first embodiment to the twentieth embodiment may becombined into an electronic mail system.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic-mail reception apparatus, saidapparatus comprising: a facsimile receiver that negotiates with a senderbefore receiving image data, to receive image data in a facsimile formatfrom the sender via a telephone network; an electronic-mail receiverthat receives data in an electronic mail format including one of imagedata and character code data via a communication network; a processoroperating in accordance with a program and that determines whether thedata received by the electronic-mail receiver is the image data or thecharacter code data based upon data format information of the receiveddata; a converter that converts the received data in the electronic mailformat into a printable image data based upon a determination, by theprocessor that the received data is image data; a font section thatconverts the received data in the electronic mail format into theprintable image data based upon the determination by the processor thatthe received data is character code data; and an output section thatoutputs the printable image data converted by one of said converter andsaid font section, wherein said facsimile receiver, said electronic-mailreceiver, said processor, said converter, said font section and saidoutput section are integrated in the apparatus.
 2. The electronic-mailreception apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said output sectioncomprises a printer.
 3. The electronic-mail reception apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein said processor refers to data formatinformation in a header of the received data in the electronic-mailformat to determine whether the received data is the image data or thecharacter code data.
 4. The electronic-mail reception apparatusaccording to claim 1, further comprising: an acceptor that convertsdocument data into image data; a compressor that compresses the imagedata; a facsimile transmitter that transmits the compressed image datato the designated facsimile destination via the telephone network; andan electronic-mail transmitter that transmits the compressed image dataconverted into an electronic-mail format to the designated electronicmail destination address via the communication network.
 5. Theelectronic-mail reception apparatus according to claim 1, wherein saidfont section comprises a memory which stores a relationship betweencharacter code data and printable image data.
 6. An electronic-mailreception apparatus, comprising: an electronic-mail receiver thatreceives data in an electronic mail format including one of image dataand character code data via a communication network; a processoroperating in accordance with a program and that determines whether thedata received by the electronic-mail receiver includes one of the imagedata and the character code data based upon data format information ofthe received data; a converter that converts the received data into aprintable image data when said processor determines that the receiveddata is image data; a font section that converts the character code datainto the printable image data when said processor determines that thereceived data is character code data; a printer that prints theprintable image data converted by one of said converter and said fontsection, wherein said electronic-mail receiver, said processor, saidconverter, said font section and said printer are integrated in theapparatus.
 7. The electronic-mail reception apparatus according to claim6, wherein said processor determines whether the data received by saidelectronic mail receiver includes one of the image data and thecharacter code data by referring to a header attached to the electronicmail.
 8. An electronic-mail reception apparatus, comprising: anelectronic-mail receiver that receives data in an electronic mail formatincluding one of image data and character code data via a communicationnetwork; a processor operating in accordance with a program and thatdetects whether the data received by the electronic-mail receiver is oneof the image data and the character code data based upon data formatinformation of the received data; a converter that converts the receiveddata into a printable image data when said processor detects that thereceived data is image data a font section that converts the charactercode data into the printable image data when said processor detects thatthe received data is character code data; a printer that prints theprintable image data obtained by one of said converter and said fontsection, wherein said electronic-mail receiver, said processor, saidconverter, said font section and said printer are integrated in theapparatus.
 9. The electronic-mail reception apparatus according to claim8, wherein said processor refers to data format information in a headerof the data received in the electronic-mail format to detect whether thereceived data is the image data or the character code data.
 10. Theelectronic-mail reception apparatus according to claim 8, wherein saidfont section comprises a memory which stores a relationship betweencharacter code data and image data.
 11. A method for receiving data,utilizing an electronic-mail communication apparatus, the methodcomprising: receiving image data in a facsimile format via a telephonenetwork; receiving electronic mail data including one of image data andcharacter code data via a communication network; detecting whether thereceived electronic mail data is the image data or the character codedata based upon data format information of the received data; convertingthe image data into a printable image data by a converter based upon adetection that the received data is the image data; converting thecharacter code data into the printable image data by a font sectionbased upon the detection that the received data is the character codedata; outputting the printable image data converted by one of theconverter and the font section, wherein the receiving image data in thefacsimile format, the receiving electronic mail data, the detecting, theconverting the image data, the converting the character code data andthe outputting are performed in the electronic-mail communicationapparatus.
 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the outputtingcomprises printing.
 13. The method according to claim 11, wherein thedetecting refers to data format information in a header of the receiveddata to detect whether the received data is the image data or thecharacter code data.
 14. The method according to claim 11, furthercomprising: scanning documents to obtain image data; compressing theimage data; transmitting the compressed image data to a designatedfacsimile destination via the telephone network; and transmitting thecompressed image data converted into an electronic-mail format to adesignated electronic mail destination address via the communicationnetwork.
 15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the convertingthe character code data utilizes a memory which stores a relationshipbetween character code data and image data.
 16. A method for receivingdata, utilizing an electronic-mail communication apparatus, the methodcomprising: receiving electronic mail data including one of image dataand character code data via a communication network; determining whetherthe received electronic mail data is one of the image data or thecharacter code data based upon data format information of the receiveddata; converting the image data into a printable image data by aconverter when the determining determines that the electronic mail datais image data; converting the character code data into the printableimage data by a font section when the determining determines that theelectronic mail data is character code data; printing the printableimage data converted by one of the converter and the font section,wherein the receiving, the determining, the converting the image data,the converting the character code data and the printing are performed inthe electronic-mail communication apparatus.
 17. The method according toclaim 16, wherein the determining determines whether the receivedelectronic mail includes at least one of the image data and thecharacter code data by referring to a header attached to the electronicmail.
 18. A method for receiving data, utilizing an electronic-mailcommunication apparatus, the method comprising: receiving electronicmail data including one of image data and character code data via acommunication network; detecting whether the received electronic maildata is the image data or the character code data based upon data formatinformation of the electronic mail data; converting the image data intoa printable image data by a converter when the detecting detects thatthe electronic mail data is the image data; converting the charactercode data into the printable image data by a font section when thedetecting detects that the electronic mail data is the character codedata; printing the printable image data converted by one of theconverter and the font section, wherein the receiving, the detecting,the converting the image data, the converting the character code dataand the printing are performed in the electronic-mail communicationapparatus.
 19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the detectingdetects whether the received electronic mail data includes one of theimage data and the character code data by referring to a header attachedto the electronic mail data.
 20. A method for receiving data, utilizingan electronic-mail communication apparatus, the method comprising:receiving electronic mail data including one of image data and charactercode data; detecting whether the received electronic mail data is theimage data or the character code data based upon data format informationof the received electronic mail data; converting the image data into aprintable image data by a converter when the detecting detects that theelectronic mail data is the image data, and converting the charactercode data into the printable image data by a font section when thedetecting detects that the electronic mail data is the character codedata; and printing the printable image data converted by one of theconverter and the font section, wherein the receiving, the detecting,the converting and the printing are performed in the electronic-mailcommunication apparatus.